It’s Christmas season once again — that one time when we take stock of all our accumulated actions over the past calendar year.
But even though there isn’t actually a Santa Claus (for some, so sorry you had to learn this way), fear not, for we here at Top Bet have taken it upon ourselves to be the watchdog on the wide world of sports all through the year.
And so we made a list — and checked it twice, of course — to find out just who the naughtiest and nicest people in sports were in 2013.
Top Bet’s Naughty and Nice List for 2013
The Naughty
1. Ryan Braun
Ryan Braun certainly isn’t the only baseball player implicated in the Biogenesis scandal, but he is definitely the latest big name tainted by performance-enhancing drug allegations. What made his transgression worse was that he so unabashedly claimed his innocence, especially during last year’s attack on the collector of his positive test.
Braun was the first to man up to the charges, but only after he had been backed into a corner. As far as everyone was concerned, it was way too late for apologies.
2. Aaron Hernandez
Calling someone who was (allegedly) involved in an execution-style murder “naughty” is probably the understatement of the year, but Hernandez still gets the benefit of the doubt. He is yet to be convicted of any crime so it’s hard to fully condemn the man of his actions.
But the fact that he is even remotely connected to such a heinous crime is proof enough that the former Pats star deserves a spot on this half of the list.
3. Richie Incognito
The less said about this well worn-out issue, the better. Already one of the NFL’s big turkeys of the season, Incognito still fully deserves his place on this list for being a very naughty bully, and he paid a price for it. Now he must sit and watch in the cold as his Dolphins team moves on without him.
4. Oscar Pistorius
Oscar Pistorius should savor every second of Christmas this year, because it could be his last for a while. The celebrated “Blade Runner” is currently out on bail after fatally shooting his girlfriend, whom he allegedly mistook as an intruder.
Murder or not, the very fact that dude shot his girlfriend automatically lands the “Blade Runner” on the Naughty List faster than the Olympic sprinter’s best time.
5. Washington Redskins
Back in Thanksgiving, the Redskins looked like a run-of-the-mill bad team regressing to the mean with a quarterback suffering from a sophomore slump and a humongous turkey of an owner. Fast forward just a couple of weeks and the Redskins look like the most dysfunctional franchise in the NFL.
Their lying coach looks about ready to give up. He’s benched their star quarterback, who has been playing poorly and sounds like a malcontent. Oh, and their owner’s still a big turkey, who refuses to change their racial slur of a name to something a little more suitable for the year 2013. Maybe 2014 will see him change his ways?
The Nice
1. Mikhail Prokhorov
You have to give it up to Brooklyn Nets billionaire owner Mikhail Prokhorov’s generosity this year, both to his team – the Nets are set to pay upwards of $180 million for their roster, with a record $80 million luxury tax bill – and also to his competition.
That’s because, due to the new collective bargaining agreement, teams under the tax line stand to receive money from tax-paying teams like the Nets. And from Brooklyn’s tax bill alone, those teams stand to make over $4 million this year. Thanks to this Russian Santa.
2. LeBron James
It’s been an absolute gift watching LeBron James play basketball, not just this year but for the past two years. The back-to-back defending champion and MVP has upped his game to levels not many thought could be possible.
This version of LeBron James is now equipped with a reliable jump shot and post moves to go with his uncanny speed-strength combo and inherent unselfishness – the ultimate basketball machine. He’s playing the game as close to perfection as we’ve ever seen on the hardcourt.
3. Boston Red Sox
2013 was a dark year for Boston, with the tragic marathon bombing badly scarring the city. But sports, as always, did its part to help in the healing process. In the forefront were David Ortiz and the beloved Boston Red Sox.
Just one year removed from a disastrous season, the Red Sox once again gave the Boston faithful something nice to cheer for as they won their third World Series crown of the decade.
4. Peyton Manning
While his brother Eli – NFL leader in interceptions – has also been in a giving mood all season, Peyton is sharing while actually doing his job correctly, which is always nice.
Manning is favorite to pick up his fifth MVP trophy after another great season; he’s on pace to break Tom Brady’s single-season TD mark of 50. And he’s spread those TDs evenly among his receivers; Eric Decker has 8, Wes Welker has 10 and the Thomases (Demaryius and Julius) have 11 each.
5. Gus Malzahn
If you’d asked an Auburn fan at the end of last season what she or he would wish for this Christmas, that wish would’ve been a win. Like, literally, just a single win, especially in the SEC. Gus Malzahn certainly delivered that, and then some.
The first-year head coach inherited a program that was winless and dead last in the SEC, and he has taken it to the cusp of a national championship. Those Auburn fans will still be wishing for just one win this Christmas – albeit a much, much bigger win – and good old Gus might be nice enough to oblige one more time.
2. Aaron Hernandez
3. Richie Incognito
4. Oscar Pistorius
You have to give it up to Brooklyn Nets billionaire owner Mikhail Prokhorov’s generosity this year, both to his team – the Nets are set to pay upwards of $180 million for their roster, with a record $80 million luxury tax bill – and also to his competition.
2. LeBron James
3. Boston Red Sox
4. Peyton Manning
